Waste Management

The larger the organization, the more opportunity for resource savings and positive change! With the number of visitors in the Park each day, the countless events hosted here each week, and the many facilities that offer entertainment and recreation, New Orleans City Park sees a lot of waste. We recognize the environmental impact of this waste, as it ends up in a landfill or in the environment, and are working to reduce that impact. New Orleans City Park is committed to responsibly managing waste by focusing on (1) increasing recycling and composting in the Park, (2) implementing zero-waste practices at major Park events, and (3) reducing single-use plastics and eliminating unnecessary items when possible.

Recycling

In an effort to improve recycling rates in the city of New Orleans, City Park is increasing access to recycling throughout the Park and providing informational signage to educate Park visitors. To date (July 2018), there are over 100 recycling bins located in the Park, including at all playgrounds, several picnic shelters, the Festival Grounds, Big Lake, Botanical Garden, Tennis Center, Golf Course, City Putt, and Amusement Park. In the next three years, we hope to have a recycling bin next to every trash can in the Park.

Beyond the everyday recycling, City Park is also working to keep those odd items out of the landfill.
• Each month, City Park participates in an electronics recycling drive to prevent e-waste from ending up in the garbage dumpster.
• The City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center recycles used and deflated tennis balls by partnering with a youth-driven nonprofit organization called RecycleBalls. To date (July 2018), we have recycled over 12,000 tennis balls!
• City Park recycles over 60 Christmas trees from our annual Celebration in the Oaks event. These trees are used within the Park to build reefs that improve fish habitat in our lagoons.

Composting
City Park maintains a composting site to process organic waste generated within the Park. This includes tree branches, horticultural waste, and golf course grass clippings, as well as coffee grounds and vegetable scraps from our administration kitchen. City Park produces close to 1000 cubic feet of compost each year, all of which is used within the Park to help maintain garden beds and landscaped areas.

Zero-Waste Events
With food, advertising, invitations, decorations, transportation, and more, events can be very resource intensive. One way City Park can reduce the environmental impact of Park sanctioned events is by implementing zero waste practices. The goal of a zero waste event is to divert as much waste as possible from entering the landfill by practicing responsible purchasing, providing recycling and composting, training staff, and offering educational opportunities for guests.

To date (July 2018), we have successfully implemented zero waste practices at 10 major Park events, and achieved an average waste diversion rate of 58% in 2017 and 79% in 2018.

Interested in participating in one of our zero waste events? Contact Meg Adams at madams@nocp.org

Reducing Single-Use Plastics
Thirteen million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Scientists believe that, if no action is taken, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by the year 2050.

City Park’s lagoons feed into Lake Pontchartrain, which feeds into the Gulf of Mexico. To protect our lagoons and our oceans, City Park is working to reduce single-use plastics in the Park.
• City Park has eliminated all plastic bags from gift shops, and replaced them with paper bags or reusable alternatives.
• City Park concession stands and catering services will only offer straws and lids upon request for cold drinks.
• City Park will continue implementing zero waste practices at City Park sanctioned events and using compostable alternatives to plastic in event food service.

PARK TALK:

“The most beautiful spot in all of NOLA by far!! We will be returning.” - Stacy A.

“I would move here for this Park!” - Caity L.

“One of my favorite places....absolutely the most beautiful park I have ever seen (even internationally)!” - Karen L.

“It's the most beautiful place in New Orleans in my opinion!” - Anjali K.

“I played mini golf with my husband there 41 years ago. ” - Peg K.

“Can I just tell you all how much I LOVE city park?! The singing oak tree coupled with the sculpture garden gives me all of the positive feels. Happy to be affiliated with such a wondrous place! ” - Jacinda L.

“When you go to City Park, you enter another world!” - Linda Marie J.

“Everyone who lives here or visits should take advantage of this city's #1 asset.” - Steve I.

“One of the best kept secrets in NOLA. ” - Wyndham N.

“On behalf of the many citizens like me...job well done. The Park is truly a wonderful asset for our city.” - Eric F.

“Can't wait for the day that I can take my grandchild to the place that my parents use to take me...great memories! ” - Jennie O.

“Beautiful trees. So peaceful to be there.” - Colleen P.

“I remember having my picture taken at the Peristyle for my dance review back in 1964. The Peristyle is still so beautiful!” - Bunny W.

“What a great place to get away from the madness of the French Quarter! ” - Susan F.

“Another claim to fame in our beloved city.” - Carolyn B.

“If you go to New Orleans, you got to see the Mardi Gras...and City Park. What a gem in a place of craziness! ” - Molly H.

“Worth seeing! We drove to the park & there was plenty of parking & it was easy to find. Loved the sculpture garden!” - Linda B.

“We had great time yesterday at the Park! We will definitely be back soon! ” - Nadra J.

“Climbing the trees at City Park is an important rite of passage for any true NOLA kid. ” - Melissa R.

“Everyone I know calls the horses on the Carousel the Flying Horses! ” - Ralph M.

“City Park its really, really, really beautiful.” - Nina G.

“Beautiful location, Park is clean, so much to see for free, great artwork and streetcar accessible.” - Gladys R.

“One of my favorite places in the world!” - Karen L.

“We LOVED this Park. The Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn made us take off our shoes upon laying eyes on it!” - Marvin G.

“I take my 93 year old father to Morning Call whenever possible. I listen to him reminisce about his early memories of City Park.” - Linda J.

“I have to say, not only is City Park beautiful but it is incredibly relaxing and gives you that refreshing boost, I don't know, it kind of just feeds your soul a little bit.” - Greg H.

“No trip to NOLA is complete unless you spend an afternoon at City Park. Bring a picnic, spread a blanket and relax. There's plenty to do and see from Disc Golf to the Sculpture Gardens and rides for the kiddies. You can make a whole day of it and never get bored. Enjoy.” - Dan M.

“I wish we couldn't spent hours here! There is an Amusement Park, a sculpture garden, a place to get coffee and beignets and more! I'd love to go back and spend more time!” - Gina V.

“City Park was the factor that turned me from a tourist to a resident of New Orleans. ” - Bill W.

“Such a beautiful, magical park!” - Josh A.

“Had fun at the park yesterday...my family and I rented the paddle boats and had a blast!!! ” - Kristi S.

“If I was 40 years younger I would climb these large trees!” - Renee E.

“Man, @NOLACityPark is one of the best things about this city.” - Rab G.

“New Orleans is a destination of sights, of tastes, and of sounds. Here, the sounds of the city can fill you with life. But in City Park, an oasis for natives and transplants like myself, the sounds of the Big Easy can make you feel safe. Calm. And at-home.” - Garland H.

“Can't wait to go back.” - Lisa S.

“We are from Florida but love NOLA! And City Park is one of the crown jewels! We go there each time we visit! Love it, this is the model all city parks should strive to emulate. City Park is for all the citizens of New Orleans. ” - Shannon D.

“We rented a Single Surrey, and did a full tour, that took us next to the Botanical Garden, Amusement Park, City Putt and Morning Call. Cafe. What a great time!” - Amy C.

CITY PARK FACTS:

The antique wooden carousel in Carousel Gardens was created by famed carvers Looff and Carmel and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A post-Katrina renovation garnered national attention and praise from the National Historic Preservation Society.